He was speaking to the participants of Ningxia Car Rally and
artists from China who have come all the way to Pakistan after travelling 7000 kilometres in 22 days from Chinese region of Ningxia.

The minister said at a time when Pakistan has joined China in
its initiative of “One Belt One Road” (OBOR), both countries also intend to work closely to revive the ancient Silk Road.

The road focuses on infrastructure which constitutes the
strategic framework of bilateral cooperation between the two countries under the ambit of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a network of roads, railways and pipelines, he added.

He said given the enormity of CPEC’s cultural potential, it is
imperative for both countries to pay attention to the cultural
dimensions by extending scope of public diplomacy.

He emphasized that the cultural links between Pakistan and
China should be extended beyond the traditional state contacts.

Pakistan and China have much in common in culture, arts,
crafts which can further deepen the relations at the societal level, he noted.

The minister said it is only through further strengthening of
people to people contacts that CPEC can be transformed from a governmental project to grassroots affinities at a much deeper level.

Pervaiz Rashid said since the establishment of diplomatic ties
between the two countries in 1951, China and Pakistan have developed all season friendship that is based on equality, brotherhood, mutual respect and all round cooperation.

This friendship has since grown from strength to strength and the peoples of two countries are now rightly termed as “Iron brothers”, he remarked.

He said friendship between China and Pakistan is higher than
the highest mountains, deeper than the deepest oceans, and sweeter than the sweetest honey in the world.

He stated, “My special gratitude is to Wang Heshan, the Vice
Governor of People government of Ningxia Hui, Autonomous region of China, the moving spirit behind this rally whose personal presence indicates the importance attached to the promotion of cultural relations between the two countries.

“Today indeed is a memorable and unique day in Pak-China
relations.”

He referred to his recent visit to China where he had gone to
attend the First Silk Road International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang.

He said during his visit, he met the Chinese Minister of
Culture and held in depth discussions over ways to further expand cultural ties between the two countries.

During the meeting, it was mentioned that Pakistan is an
important country along the Silk Route and steps would be taken to tailor cultural programmes according to each others needs to make it more meaningful and effective.

He said he was sure that the participants of the Ningxia Car
Rally would serve as ambassadors of Pakistan and work for promoting tourism in Pakistan by sharing their experiences with their fellow citizens.

He expressed confidence that the car rally would herald a new chapter in the relations between the two countries and motivate Chinese tourists to experience for themselves the warmth, hospitality and beauty of Pakistan.

The event was also addressed by Deputy Governor of Chinese province Ningxia Wang Heshan.

Chinese and Pakistani artists performed dances and played
traditional instruments like “dhol and rubab”, much to the amusement of audience.